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One week they blow out the Saints and the next week they are blanked by the Falcons. So what exactly are the Super Bowl champions? Now they must play an equally desperate Baltimore Ravens team next week to stay in both the NFC East and wildcard race. Suspect on defence, the G-Men also have to wonder how an Eli Manning-led offence can be shut out.

2. San Francisco at Seattle

Offensive prowess vs. blunt-force defence. The 49ers, who pulled off the mild upset in a wild Sunday nighter in New England will face the Seattle Seahawks, who are 6-0 at home and have scored 108 points in their past two games. A 49ers win would clinch the NFC West title, but the Seahawks have won five of their past six.

3. How ’bout them Cowboys?

With a dramatic overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the beleaguered Cowboys find themselves in a first-place tie in the NFC East. If they win out, they take that division. If they lose one, they probably miss the playoffs altogether. It won’t be easy, starting with a home game against New Orleans in Week 16 and a finale against the Redskins that could settle the division.

4. Peterson’s pursuit

With 212 rushing yards on Sunday, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson now has 1,812 on the season and has a shot at surpassing Eric Dickerson’s 28-year-old single-season record of 2,105. To do it, Peterson will need to average 147 yards per game in his two remaining contests starting next week against the stout Texans D.

5. Football-free Thursday

In other words, what not to watch. The extremely lame Thursday night schedule, marked by poor matchups and even poorer play is on the schedule to help prop up the league-owned NFL Network, but has mercifully come to an end for the season. In its place, there is a Saturday night contest — Atlanta at Detroit.

ON THE HOTSEAT

He has seen a 7-1 start slump into a 1-5 run with a playoff spot now in some doubt. Despite protestations from linebacker Brian Urlacher on Monday, Smith will face his share of the heat, especially when the Bears get beat physically like they did to the Packers. That type of performance never plays well in the Windy City.

TAKING STOCK

Going Up

After a 2-3 start, the Pack are back. Sunday’s 21-13 road win over divisional rival Chicago has them at 10-4 and in strong position to lock up the NFC’s second seed and a first-round playoff bye.

Going Down

A road loss to a hungry Texans team is nothing to hang your head about, but you have to wonder if the magic of this sensational turnaround season for the Indianapolis Colts is running on fumes.

DAN BILICKI’S FANTASY MATCHUPS

DREAM MATCHUP

New England at Jacksonville

The Patriots offence showed on Sunday how spectacularly efficient it can be, even if it’s just for a half. Tom Brady and Co. could also be getting back superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski for this one too, making a blow out all the more likely.

NIGHTMARE TIME

San Francisco at Seattle

Have you seen the run that the Seahawks have been on the past few weeks? They have scored a combined 108 points in two games. The Niners are no slouches on offence — as demonstrated Sunday — but the Seahawks are as hot as they come.

What's ahead for NFL Week 16

One week they blow out the Saints and the next week they are blanked by the Falcons. So what exactly are the Super Bowl champions? Now they must play an equally desperate Baltimore Ravens team next week to stay in both the NFC East and wildcard race. Suspect on defence, the G-Men also have to wonder how an Eli Manning-led offence can be shut out.

2. San Francisco at Seattle

Offensive prowess vs. blunt-force defence. The 49ers, who pulled off the mild upset in a wild Sunday nighter in New England will face the Seattle Seahawks, who are 6-0 at home and have scored 108 points in their past two games. A 49ers win would clinch the NFC West title, but the Seahawks have won five of their past six.

3. How ’bout them Cowboys?

With a dramatic overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the beleaguered Cowboys find themselves in a first-place tie in the NFC East. If they win out, they take that division. If the